Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This Honda was involved in an accident yesterday with both side and front impact while in motion, both impacts being major. But neither the passenger or driver's airbags were deployed at any time. There were no warning lights on about the airbag prior to this.
I was driving down a residential street in my 1996 Honda Civic when a 2004 GMC yukon SUV came hurling around the corner of an intersecting street ahead of me. The driver of the yukon failed to stay in his lane as he rounded the corner and hit my Honda Civic head-on. Upon impact my head hit the windshield so hard that it left a bubble protruding out on the driver side of my windshield. In the shape of my head ( I have photos of windshield damage) right before the airbag deployed. I was also wearing a seat belt with shoulder restraint. As a result of the collision I sustained a brain concussion. I have always believed that a driver side airbag and seat belt with shoulder restraint was designed to keep my head out of the windshield in the event of a head-on collision. Evidently both the seat belt and airbag failed to protect me from hitting the windshield in the collision I was in. …
Air bags did not deploy. A car in the opposite lane turned in front of my 1996 Honda Civic lx as I entered the intersection with a green light traveling about 40 miles per hour. I promptly slammed on my brakes and I hit the other car essentially head on. The impact left my Civic's front bumper and underlying metal support beam lying in the intersection, along with the antifreeze that was rapidly draining everywhere. I hit the other car's front passenger-side from its wheel well to the front bumper. The air bags failed to deploy.
The SRS light on my 1996 Honda Civic remains on. I have taken the car to the dealer twice during the last two weeks. The first visit the service department charged me $89.00 to run a "diagnostic". I was told the SRS was "retooled" and the system should be okay. Two days later the SRS light came on again. Service personnel told me I needed to bring the car in again soon. There was no charge, but I was told if the light came on again, the module would need to be replaced. The cost is usually $460.00, I was told. Also I'd need to call and make an appointment in advance since the department does not stock the module- it would have to be ordered. When I asked if the car was safe to drive, service personnel answered in the affirmative. Two days later the light came on again. That was last weekend. I have not taken the car in for service. …
Our SRS light came on one Saturday with no accident or reason. We took it into the dealer and they told us the code showed that the SRS computer module had to be replaced at a cost of $750. After reading all of the complaints from other owners, I was shocked that they didn't tell us that this was a common complaint and they are so quick to charge us the most expensive amount when it is probably a weak battery that set it off in the first place!! This problem needs to be fixed because we drive around without airbags for reasons that have nothing to do with the owners!! Just because a battery goes weak, or you set an electrical device on the seat, our airbags shouldn't stop working!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Honda Civic. While driving over a bump at an unknown speed, the air bags deployed erroneously and shattered the front passenger side window. The passenger sustained injuries to the face. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 147,000. Updated 8/28/14 the consumer stated the manufacturer did not offer any assistance. Updated 11/12/2014
Rearended a stopped vehicle while traveling approx 20-25 MPH. Airbags did not deploy. Accident occurred on 10-14-99. About 6-7 months later, began having intermittent problems with SRS light staying on while driving. Around 7/15/2000, SRS light began to consistently stay on while driving. Took it in for service and dealer had to replace the SRS control unit at a cost to me of $450.
I have 2 recalls and I need the notification for them gone asap so I can ship my car overseas. The issues stated about the "air bag" and "floor mats" have yet to cause a concern to my driving and or handling ability. I don't have the time to go through these recalls as I am military and need my vehicle shipped but the recalls are whats kicking me back.
The SRS light stayed illuminated while driving. The dealership indicated it was caused by the SRS unit's complete failure which would render the air bag inoperative if the vehicle was in an accident. Consumer stated the air bag component is a safety item and is the responsibility of the manufacturer.
For some unknown reason the SRS air bag light came on and stayed on. I had not been in any kind of crash or almost crash. The local Honda dealer said there was a problem with it and Honda had did a recall but my car was out of the warranty period that Honda set up so they would charge me $400.00 to fix.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.
Airbag complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Honda Civic, 23% of the model year's 305 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (41 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Honda Civic airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-026 (inflator module, Jan 17, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Honda Civic airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 38 crashes, 1 fire and 27 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.